Web Page Development

At today’s JPL amateur radio club meeting, I gave a high level presentation on how to create “Your Amateur Radio Web Page.”  We discussed why an individual might want to have their own web page, options for setting one up, and where to begin.  It used to be that you needed someone with knowledge of HTML, CSS, and even a programing language (like Java or PHP). Today, there are many choices of “content management systems” that handle the HTML and style sheets for you. They provide a simple user interface so that you can focus on your content.

A second presentation is listed below that was not given, which uses illustrations to step through how to setup a website using WordPress. This second presentation, “Using WordPress to create your Website,” is intended as a learning aid.

Presentation Given:  “Your Amateur Radio Web Page”

Presentation not given: “Using WordPress to create your Website”

I had received my Worked All States (WAS) award many years ago under one of my old callsigns.  Recently, I checked logbook of the world and realized I did not have it credited under my current callsign. There were enough credits as W6GRV for the award in mixed mode, but I was missing a few for CW, SSB, and digital modes. Having just updated my DXCC records, I thought the same type of list was needed for WAS that showed all bands and modes. There are lots of holes for me to fill, and now I know where they are.

This website was then updated to add a WAS section under awards to keep DXCC company, and the WAS listing was added.

It is too hot today to go out in the garden and too hot to turn on the linear on, so it is the perfect time to repair the photo gallery on my web site. The method I was using to post pictures stopped working a little while back. Today, I re-uploaded the pictures into new photo galleries and attached them back to the posts.  I am still looking for a better way to display the galleries, but at least you can once again see the photos.

This weekend, I was off at a genealogy conference in Burbank, California and did not get on the air. However, I did get some time to make a small addition to the web page. Current HF propagation information was placed at the bottom of the main page.  The font is a bit smaller than I would like.  I tried the putting it on the sidebar to the right, but that was a bit too cluttered. So for now, a small HF propagation indicator will have to do.

So far in 2013, I have not had a chance to get on the air.  All I have had time to do is to occasionally listen.  Perhaps this weekend I will finally dust off the key, warm up the equipment,  and make some contacts.

Earlier this month, NMX was fun to attend. The conference covered many facets of social media including web video, podcasting, and blogging. Many of the talks revolved how the evolving social media technology is being used in business today.

This weekend, I updated my DXCC records, and submitted an application for additional endorsements using the LoTW pending credits. In addition, the web page was updated to add a pull down selection under DXCC that displays my current status.  Also, this new status page has a link to the detailed listing of what countries I need, in which mode, and on what bands.

So as to stay current with the latest methods of communication, I signed up for a twitter account. I am amazed at the amount of content being exchanged via social media. Not long ago, business needed to have a web presence, and today, they need to be actively advertising through social media.

Remembering back to when I purchased my first computer, a PC with a 20 MB hard drive, they asked, “why did you buy that?” and “what will you do with it?”  My response then is the same as today, “I will try to keep my skills current.”

This past weekend, Dot and I attended WordCamp in Reno, NV. It was a fun couple of days learning more about WordPress and meeting others who use the software for their web sites. Hopefully, this week I can put some of the learning to good use and update this web page.

After some difficulty with the Logbook plugin (probably operator error), the logs are up to date.  Recently, it would upload the logs, show the correct number of log entries received, but the new logbook would contain zero entries.  After deactivating, deleting, and reinstalling the plugin, it worked once again.  All the old log data, including the multiple log book IDs (call/location references), remained in the database and the new log information loaded properly.

A policy regarding comments has been added under the ‘About’ tab.

I had been using the default theme, but with its recent update and the update of one of the plugins, the log book stopped working properly.  The theme picture was redrawing itself over the log display.  To correct the issue, the theme was switched.  Now the logs come up properly, and I like this look better than the previous theme.

Pictures of the antenna installation are now posted.

My personal logs have all been uploaded. A search box has been added to the Logs page on this site.

Other than for contest, my log is hand written.  I use a text editor to transcribe the hand written logs into a ASCII format. For there, a simple program is used to create the ADIF logs and merge the transcribed logs with electronic contest logs and incorporate them into the existing log file. For the web page, DH9SB had a great log search plugin. On my list of things to improve, is where the log search box is placed on the web page.

Posting of my logs is not yet working. After trying for awhile, I decided to go back and use the old JAVA script, and even that does not want to work. Logs WILL be posted, just not today!

I am continuing to learn how to use WordPress.  This morning I have added pages for my current radio call as well as all of my previous ones.  The cats helped moved their pictures under the Pictures tab to make room for the amateur radio station pictures. (I thought that was nice of the kitties to do that…)  Next to add log files, more photos, and experiment with some picture plugins.  And, maybe I will actually get on the air this weekend.

Each day, I am learning more about what I’m doing with setting up this site.  And, the kitties are helping.  I have watched some videos on the web, experimented with different themes, and looked at what plugins are available.

The plan is to start by recreating the content that was available on the old web site, and then enhance it over time.  Some of the areas I want to improve include updating the site to use ADIF formatted log files (instead of ASCII files formatted using notepad), more organized pictures with an area for the cats, and perhaps use the blogging capabilities to discuss recent activities & radio contest participation.

73 Rob.

This web page is in the process of getting a much needed face lift.

The old web page, with all the log files, is still available at “https://w6grv.com/old/index.html”

73 Rob, W6GRV